U.S. patent application number 10/527680 was filed with the patent office on 2006-05-04 for release mechanism for masks.
Invention is credited to Lewis George Gradon, Alastair Edwin McAuley, Ivan Milivojevic, Christopher Earl Nightingale, Aidan Mark Shotbolt.
Application Number | 20060090760 10/527680 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32065081 |
Filed Date | 2006-05-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060090760 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gradon; Lewis George ; et
al. |
May 4, 2006 |
Release mechanism for masks
Abstract
Mask (2) and headgear (5) have quick release mechanism. In
emergency, patient pulls release cord (14) causing mask to fall
from face. Can be used for general respiratory care or with a
ventilator. Can be used in aviation, mining or firefighting.
Inventors: |
Gradon; Lewis George;
(Auckland, NZ) ; McAuley; Alastair Edwin;
(Auckland, NZ) ; Nightingale; Christopher Earl;
(Auckland, NZ) ; Milivojevic; Ivan; (Auckland,
NZ) ; Shotbolt; Aidan Mark; (Dunedin, NZ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
TREXLER, BUSHNELL, GIANGIORGI,;BLACKSTONE & MARR, LTD.
105 WEST ADAMS STREET
SUITE 3600
CHICAGO
IL
60603
US
|
Family ID: |
32065081 |
Appl. No.: |
10/527680 |
Filed: |
September 15, 2003 |
PCT Filed: |
September 15, 2003 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/NZ03/00206 |
371 Date: |
September 15, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
128/206.27 ;
128/207.11; 128/207.17 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61M 16/0633 20140204;
A61M 16/0683 20130101; A61M 16/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
128/206.27 ;
128/207.11; 128/207.17 |
International
Class: |
A62B 18/08 20060101
A62B018/08 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 2, 2002 |
NZ |
521744 |
Claims
1. A release mechanism for an interface to enable a user to quickly
remove said interface from said users' face, comprising or
including: at least one strap having two ends where one end in use
is flexibly coupled to releasable connector provided at least on
one side of said mask, and the other of said two ends flexibly
coupled to a mask attachment at the other side of said mask, said
strap extending around the back of the user's head, a cord attached
to said releasable connector that when said mask is in use and said
cord is pulled by said user said releasable connector causes said
at least one strap to be released from said mask thereby causing
said mask to fall from said users' face.
2. A release mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said interface
is a full face mask.
3. A release mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said releasable
connector harnessing clip comprising a male connector and female
connector capable of being coupled together.
4. A release mechanism according to claim 3 wherein one of said two
ends of said at least one strap is attached to one of said male
connector and said female connector.
5. A release mechanism according to claim 3 or 4 wherein the other
one of said male connector and said female connector is flexibly
attached to said mask.
6. A release mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said flexible
attachment is achieved by a sliding engagement adapted to engage
one of said male connector and said female connector with said
mask.
7. A release mechanism according to claim 6 wherein said sliding
engagement is adapted to allow said at least one strap substantial
movement with respect to said mask while still providing a
compressive force to seal said mask to said users' face.
8. A release mechanism according to claim 6 wherein said sliding
engagement includes an elongate member slidably engaged to said
interface and engaged to at least one releasably connecting
means.
9. A release mechanism according to claim 8 wherein said elongate
member has a first end and a second end, a closed loop located at
said first end and said harnessing clip located at said second
end.
10. A release mechanism according to claim 9 wherein said closed
loop and one of said male connector and said female connector of
said harnessing clip are integrally formed with said elongate
member.
11. A release mechanism according to claim 6 wherein said sliding
engagement is a loop adapted to pass over and slidingly engage with
said interface.
12. A release mechanism according to claim 8 or 11 wherein said
sliding engagement includes a restraining member, said restraining
member adapted to in use accommodate said elongate member or said
loop, said restraining member adapted in use to restrain said
member or said loop in at least one dimension, but allow said
member or said loop to slide easily within at least one other
dimension, said restraining member adapted to in use easily
disengage with said elongate member or said loop.
13. A release mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said mask
attachment is a loop in which one of said two ends of said strap
can be attached to.
14. A release mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said mask
attachment is a releasable connector.
15. A mask having a release mechanism that enables a user to
quickly remove said mask from said user's face, comprising or
including: at least one strap having two ends each adapted to, in
use, be flexibly coupled to releasable connector at least on one
side of said mask and a mask attachment at the other side of said
mask, and around the back of the user's head, a cord attached to
said releasable connector that when said mask is in use and said
cord is pulled by said user said releasable connector causes said
at least one strap to be released from said mask thereby causing
said mask to fall from said user's face.
16. A patient interface for delivering a supply of gases to a user
comprising or including: headgear attached to or around the head of
said user, a sliding engagement adapted to engage said headgear
with said patient interface, release mechanism coupled between said
headgear and said sliding engagement that when actuated by said
user causes the separation of said sliding engagement and said
headgear.
17. A patient interface according to claim 16 wherein said release
mechanism comprises or includes: a harnessing clip comprising a
male connector and a female connector capable of being coupled
together, one of said male connector and said female connector
attached to said headgear, and a cord attached to the other of said
male connector and said female connector, which when said interface
is in use and said cord is pulled by said user said male connector
and said female connector are disengaged and said headgear released
from said mask thereby causing said mask to fall from said user's
face.
18. A patient interface according to claim 16 wherein said sliding
engagement comprises or includes: an elongate member slidably
engaged to said interface, and restraining member, adapted to in
use accommodate said elongate member, said restraining member
adapted in use to restrain said elongate member in at least one
dimension, but allow said member to slide easily within at least
one other dimension, said restraining member adapted to in use
easily disengage with said elongate member.
19. A patient interface according to claim 18 wherein said elongate
member has a first end and a second end, a closed loop located at
said first end and said harnessing clip at said second end.
20. A patient interface according to claim 11 wherein said closed
loop and one of said male connector and said female connector of
said harnessing clip are integrally formed with said elongate
member.
21. A patient interface according to claim 16 wherein said sliding
engagement comprises or includes: a loop adapted to pass over and
slidingly engage with said interface, and restraining member
adapted to in use accommodate said loop, said restraining member
adapted in use to restrain said loop in at least one dimension, but
allow said loop to slide easily within at least one other
dimension, said restraining means adapted to in use easily
disengage with said loop.
22. A patient interface according to claim 21 wherein said loop is
elliptical in shape having a first end and a second end where a
closed loop is located at said first end and said harnessing clip
is located at said second end.
23. A patient interface according to claim 22 wherein said closed
loop and one of said male connector and said female connector of
said harnessing clip are integrally formed with said loop.
24. (canceled)
25. (canceled)
26. (canceled)
Description
BACKGROUND OF TH INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates to headgear and masks particularly
though not solely for use in providing continuous positive airway
pressure (CPAP) therapy to patients suffering from obstructive
sleep apnoea (OSA). In particular the present invention relates to
headgear and nasal masks that have a quick release mechanism that
allows a user to easily and quickly remove the mask and
headgear.
[0003] 2. Summary of Prior Art
[0004] In the art of respiration devices, there are well known a
variety of respiratory masks which cover the nose and/or mouth of a
human user in order to provide a continuous seal around the nasal
and/or oral areas of the face, such that gas may be provided at
positive pressure within the mask for consumption by the user. The
uses for such masks range from high altitude breathing (i.e.
aviation applications), to mining and fire fighting applications
and to various medical diagnostic and therapeutic applications.
[0005] Headgear is known by which a gas delivery mask is maintained
in contact with the face of a patient. Such headgear incorporated
upper and lower straps, each having opposite ends threading through
connector elements provided on the opposite side and/or the top of
the mask. Each strap includes releasable securing means, for
example, a VELCRO.TM. fastener, such that each strap may be
adjusted as required to produce an effective seal between the mask
and the patient's face. The mask and headgear must be comfortable
and adaptable to different users' heads and/or faces and must be
easily removable.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,441,046 of Respironics, Inc. discloses a
quick release and connect mechanism used with nasal and/or oral gas
delivery masks. The mechanism attaches to the mask and to the
headgear acting as a connection link. While under normal use the
connection remains intact. However, when a release cord attached to
the headgear is pulled, the mechanism is inclined and becomes free
from one of the headgear straps and the connection is broken,
allowing the mask to fall from the user's face. The connection link
has an elongated opening which receives the headgear strap and
allows for the securing of the mask to the face of a patient. When
the release cord is pulled and the mechanism inclined the strap is
released from the connection mechanism.
[0007] WO02/47749 of Resmed Limited discloses headgear for securing
and positioning a mask suitable for the treatment of sleep disorder
breathing. The headgear includes a quick release mechanism near the
front of the face that attaches the headgear to the mask. The quick
release mechanism comprises a release loop of cord material, a
rectangular length of hook material and a rectangular length of
composite fabric which can bind to the hook material. A cord is
attached and hangs from the composite fabric such that when the
cord is pulled by the user the composite fabric is removed from the
hook material thereby releasing the mask from the user's face.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 6,422,238 of Resmed Limited discloses headgear
for securing a respiratory mask to a patient and incorporates a
quick release mechanism. The headgear has at least one strap
extending from each side of the mask, the straps being releasably
fastened rearwards of the patients face to secure the mask. The
headgear further includes release means in the form of a pull cord
attached to an overlying strap at its region of fastening to the
underlying strap. When the headgear is positioned on the patient's
head, the release mechanism is situated at the back of the head and
the cord runs through loops towards the front of the mask system.
The pull cord is guided forward to allow easy access to the user
and that is able to be gripped at the front of the patient. Pulling
forward on the cord releases the mask from the patient's face as
the cord causes the straps to be released from one another.
[0009] The mask release mechanisms of the abovementioned patents
and patent applications either do not immediately remove the mask
from the user's face, tend to be awkward or require some strength
to initiate the release mechanism.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0010] It is an object of the present invention to provide a quick
release mechanism for a mask which goes some way to overcoming the
abovementioned disadvantages in the prior art of which will at
least provide the industry with a useable choice.
[0011] In a first aspect the present invention consists in a
release mechanism for an interface to enable a user to quickly
remove said interface from said users' face, comprising or
including:
[0012] at least one strap having two ends where one end in use is
flexibly coupled to releasably connecting means provided at least
on one side of said mask, and the other of said two ends flexibly
coupled to attachment means at the other side of said mask, said
strap extending around the back of the user's head,
[0013] a cord attached to said releasable connecting means which
when said mask is in use and said cord is pulled by said user said
releasable connecting means causes said at least one strap to be
released from said mask thereby causing said mask to fall from said
users' face.
[0014] In a second aspect the present invention consists in a mask
having a release mechanism that enables a user to quickly remove
said mask from said user's face, comprising or including:
[0015] at least one strap having two ends each adapted to, in use,
be flexibly coupled to releasable connecting means provided at
least on one side of said mask, and attachment means at the other
side of said mask, and around the back of the user's head,
[0016] a cord attached to said releasable connecting means, at
least one of said attachment means, which when said mask is in use
and said cord is pulled by said user said releasable connecting
means causes said at least one strap to be released from said mask
thereby causing said mask to fall from said user's face.
[0017] In a third aspect the present invention consists in a
patient interface for delivering a supply of gases to a user
comprising or including:
[0018] securement means attached to or around the head of said
user,
[0019] engaging means adapted to slidingly engage said securement
means with said patient interface,
[0020] release mechanism coupled between said securement means and
said engaging means which when actuated by said user causes the
separation of said engaging means and said securement means.
[0021] To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates,
many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and
applications of the invention will suggest themselves without
departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the
appended claims. The disclosures and the descriptions herein are
purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense
limiting.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0022] One preferred form of the present invention will now be
described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which;
[0023] FIG. 1 is a side view of a user wearing a mask that may
utilise the release mechanism of the present invention,
[0024] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a mask, headgear and release
mechanism of the present invention,
[0025] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the harnessing clip and
release cord forming the release mechanism of the present
invention,
[0026] FIG. 4 is a plan view of a sliding engagement loop for a
mask that may have disposed at its ends the release mechanism of
the present invention,
[0027] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the harnessing clip of the
present invention when the male and female connectors are
apart,
[0028] FIG. 6 is a plan view an alternative form of the harnessing
clip of the present invention when the male and female connectors
are apart,
[0029] FIG. 7 is a side view of the harnessing clip of FIG. 5,
and
[0030] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional side view of the harnessing clip
of FIG. 5, showing the location of the release cord.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0031] The present invention provides improvements in the field of
nasal masks for use in ventilation therapy. In particular, a mask
and headgear are described that has a quick release mechanism where
in an emergency a patient need only pull a release cord to cause
the mask to fall from his or her face. It will be appreciated that
the headgear and mask as described in the preferred embodiment of
the present invention can be used in respiratory care generally or
with a ventilator. Alternatively, the mask could be used for other
applications such as in aviation, mining, or fire fighting.
Nasal Mask
[0032] Referring to FIG. 1 a nasal mask and headgear (generally
indicated as 1) incorporating the release mechanism of a present
invention is shown in detail. The mask includes a hollow body 2
with an inlet 3 connected to an inspiratory conduit (not shown), a
forehead rest 6 and cushion 7 located between the patient's face
and hollow body 2. The inspiratory conduit is connected to various
tubing and to a humidifier and blower or the like to supply the
patient 4 with gases for ventilation therapy. The mask 2 is
positioned around the nose of the patient 4 with the headgear 5
secured around the back of the head of the patient 4. The
restraining force from the headgear 5 on the hollow body 2 and the
forehead rest 6 ensures enough compressive force on the mask
cushion 7 to provide an effective seal against the patient's
face.
[0033] In other forms of the present invention a full face mask
could utilise the release mechanism as described below.
Mask Headgear
[0034] As shown in FIG. 1, the release mechanism of the present
invention preferably utilises a sliding engagement strap, similar
to that as described in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.
09/881,633 and/or U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/07221,
between the headgear 5 and the hollow body 2. This means that at
least one of the headgear straps, for example, headgear strap 16 in
FIG. 2, is flexibly coupled to the mask via the sliding strap 8.
This is achieved with a sliding strap loop, running through the
harnessing clips of the release mechanism 9 on either side of the
headgear 5 and over the top of the hollow body 2. The loop 8 is
reciprocally engaged with guides (15 in FIG. 2) mounted on the top
surface of the hollow body 2. The guides 15 constrain the loop (8,
in FIG. 2) but allow it to slide in and out, meaning the headgear 5
can move laterally, independently of the hollow body 2.
[0035] In other forms of the sliding engagement strap there may
merely be a single elongate sliding strap 8 (as shown in FIG. 2),
the ends of which are attached to a headgear strap 16. The
advantage of a sliding engagement strap for the headgear is as the
face of the patient is contorted during changing sleeping positions
the headgear is able to move with the changes in position while the
mask is left in the correct position on the nose of the patient and
an effective seal is maintained.
[0036] The mask may be provided with additional guides that allow
the user to adjust the position of the loop 8, giving the ability
to keep different pressure on the seal depending on the loop
position.
[0037] To further ensure user comfort and effect pressure on the
mask cushion 7, the headgear 5 may be constructed using two straps
(16, 17) running around the back of the user's head (as shown in
FIG. 2 one 16 attached to the sliding strap 8 and the other 17 to
the forehead rest on the mask) or with the partial skull cap or any
other configurations as are known in the art. In this case the
straps or partial skull cap would be constructed using neoprene,
but may also be constructed using any material as known in the art
which will be comfortable for the user. A preferred sliding
engagement strap, whether a loop or single engagement strap, is
made from TEFLON.TM. or polyacetal using injection moulding
techniques to give a polished finish. This material, is similar to
other nylon based derivatives, with its polished finish has a
particularly low friction coefficient, and therefore slides with
respect of the mask body with very little resistance.
Release Mechanism
[0038] The release mechanism of the present invention is shown
particularly in FIGS. 3 to 8, and in association with a nasal mask
and headgear in FIG. 2. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the release
mechanism comprises a harnessing clip 11, which consists of two
parts, a male connector 12 and female connector 13 capable of being
coupled, and a release cord 14. When the release cord 14 is pulled
by the patient or user wearing the mask the male connector 12 is
released from the female connector 13 causing the mask 2 and
associated headgear 5 to fall from the user's face. In use, when
the male connector 12 and female 13 connector are coupled, as in
FIG. 2, at least one headgear strap, in this instance strap 16,
extends from the attachment end of the male connector 12. For
example the headgear strap 16 is threaded through an elongated
aperture in the end of the male connector 12 and the end 18 of the
strap 16 is permanently attached to the rest of the body of the
headgear strap 16 by some type of fastener, such as VELCRO.TM..
[0039] The other side of the mask that is not shown in FIG. 2 may
also have a similar harnessing clip that attaches the mask to the
other end of headgear strap (not shown). In other forms the
harnessing clip and strap may not have a release cord but merely be
a clip to attach the headgear to the mask. In yet other forms of
the present invention one side of the mask may be provided with the
harnessing clip 11 and release cord 14, but other side with a
simple loop that a headgear strap can be attached to.
[0040] When the mask is in use the end of the release cord 14 is
stored in an attached manner to the headgear strap 16. In the
preferred form of the release mechanism the end of the release cord
14 has an attachment area 10 that is fastened against the headgear
strap by way of a hook and loop type fastener, such as VELCRO.TM.
in order to keep the release cord away from the user's face. Other
appropriate means of fastening the release cord to the headgear are
possible, such as a snap fitting or the like.
[0041] FIG. 2 also shows the preferred embodiment of the harnessing
clip 11 where the female connector 13 is flexibly coupled to the
mask 2 and the headgear strap 16 is attached to the male connector
12. In other forms of the present invention the male and female
connectors of the harnessing clip may be provided in an opposing
manner, for example, where a female connector is flexibly coupled
to the mask and the male connector is attached to the headgear
strap. The flexible coupling between the mask 2 and harnessing clip
11 is achieved by a sliding engagement strap 15 as described above.
In this embodiment the female connector 13 is integrally formed
with the sliding strap 15, such that each end of the sliding strap
terminates with a female connector 13. It must be appreciated that
in other forms of the present invention, when the male and female
connectors are opposed, that the sliding strap will be integrally
formed with the male connector.
[0042] The harnessing clip 11 and sliding strap 15 are preferably
formed in a plastics material, such as polycarbonate, acetal or
nylon and integrally formed during a moulding process.
[0043] An alternative form of the sliding strap having two integral
female connectors is shown in FIG. 4. The sliding strap in this
form is a loop 20 formed in an elliptical shape where the ends of
the ellipse terminate in integrally formed connectors. These
connectors are preferably female connectors 23, 24 similar to those
described above. It must be appreciated that only one connector 23
may be provided with the loop 20. The other side of the loop could
be provided with existing attachment mechanisms as known in the
prior art. In other forms the male connector may be integrally
formed with the loop 20 and the female connector attached to the
headgear strap 16.
[0044] Reference is now made to FIGS. 5 and 6 that each illustrates
the female and male connectors of the preferred form and the
alternative forms of the present invention respectively. The female
connectors 13, 23 define a recess which approximates a tapered
rectangular form, the recess is adapted to provide a close fit with
the corresponding male connector 12, 25 when the connectors are
engaged.
[0045] The male connectors 12, 25 each have leading portions 26, 28
that are tapered in shape and which are received in the
corresponding recesses of the female connectors 13,23, and trailing
portions 27, 29 which remain outside the recess. The elongated
apertures 19, 30, to which the headgear strap 16 is threaded
through, are formed at the ends of the trailing portions 27,29. The
leading portions 26, 28 each include upper 31, 33 and lower 32, 34
arms connected by cross pieces 35, 36 at their leading ends, and
resiliently based cantilever members 37, 38 depending from the
cross pieces 35,36, extending back towards and extending into the
centre of the trailing portions 27, 29.
[0046] The male connector 12 of FIG. 5 has a raised portion 39 on
the cantilever member 37 which fits within a corresponding raised
recess part 40 in the female connector 13 when the male and female
connectors are engaged. On the raised portion 39 is a protrusion
41, that during engagement of the connectors 12, 13, slides along
the underside of the raised recess part 40 and fits into a
correspondingly shaped aperture 42 in the raised recess part 40.
The fitting of the protrusion 41 within the aperture 42 causes a
locking effect between the male connector and female connector. In
order for the protrusion 41 to be released from the aperture 42 the
flexible end 43 of the cantilever member 37 must be depressed to
cause the protrusion 41 to move downwards out of the aperture 42 so
that the male connector 12 can be disengaged from the female
connector 13.
[0047] The male connector 25 of FIG. 6 does not have a raised
portion like that of FIG. 5, but does have a protrusion 44 and
aperture 45 fitting between the male and female connectors similar
to that described above. Again, when the flexible end 46 of the
cantilever member 38 is depressed the protrusion 44 is released
from the aperture 45 and the male connector 25 is released from the
female connector 23.
[0048] The association of the male connector 25 with the release
cord will now be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9 which
show the harnessing clip of FIG. 5 in side and cross-sectional
views. The release cord 14 is attached to the cantilever member 37
of the male connector 12 and runs from the cantilever member 37,
beneath the back area 47 of the trailing portion 27, up through the
elongated aperture 19 and along the length of the headgear strap
16. An indentation 48, 49 (as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 respectively)
may be provided in the back area 47 of the trailing portion 27
which acts as a guide for the release cord 14. The cord 14 is
affixed to the cantilever member 37 by any appropriate means, for
example, a knot could be formed in the end of the cord 14 and the
cord 14 can then be threaded through an aperture formed in the
cantilever member (not shown) to then be threaded beneath the back
area 47 and up through the elongated aperture 19. The knot in the
cord 14 will prevent the cord from passing through the male
connector 12. In other forms two apertures 50 and 51, 52 and 53 (as
shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 respectively) could be formed in the
cantilever member 37 or 38 so that the release cord 14 would be
threaded through each of the apertures 50 and 51, 52 and 53 forming
a "double" cord that is utilised as the release cord 14.
[0049] As the release cord 14 is attached to the cantilever member
37 of the male connector 12 when a user pulls on the release cord
14 the cantilever member 37 is pulled downwards. As tension exists
between the male and female connectors, the leading portion 26 of
the male connector 12 is released from the female connector 13.
This in turn releases the headgear strap 16 from the mask 2 and it
falls away from the user's face.
* * * * *